Transcript WWII Begins…

Germany Invades
Poland
***
The Invasion of Poland - 1939
The NAZIS invaded Poland on Sept. 1st
The Invasion of Poland - 1939
The NAZIS used blitzkrieg tactics
POLISH ARMY: Used trench warfare,
cavalry, obsolete equipment, slaughtered
by the Germans.
Sept 1, 1939 – Polish
cavalry surprise attacks
Nazi infantry. Almost win,
until Nazi tanks appear.
Quick Pics
Go to page 133 and 134 of Demarco Text
and examine the photographs which show
the French way to use tanks and the
German Strategy.
***
Key Differences Between WW1 and WW2
A. Technology used in warfare
B. Extent to which it was a truly global
conflict. (WW1 centered around Western
Front.)
C. Blitzkrieg
SURPRISE 
SPEED 
WEIGHT OF ATTACK
1. Tanks (Panzers) Heavy tank smash
through front
2. Motorized Infantry and Wehrmacht
pour in (ground troops)
3. Aerial Support: Stuka Dive Bombers
(luftwaffe) Airforce attack – drop
 shock troops and paratroopers
behind enemy lines.
***
The Results
Germans: 63 divisions, six of them
armoured (1 div = 20-30,000 soldiers)
Poland: 20 Divisions, 12 Cavalry (only one
mechanized, rest on horses
USSR attacks from E. front, Sept 17th
After one month, Nazis march into
Warsaw.
USSR turns to Finland to improve its
border. “Winter War.” 1940, USSR wins.
The Invasion of Poland - 1939
Britain immediately declared war on
Germany
***
The Phony War : 1939-1940
Everyone expected Germany to attack
Western Europe
Bad weather and indecision prevented any
attacks
Many Europeans believed that there would
be no war
Historians refer to this period as “The
Phony War” even though war was a
reality in Czechoslovakia, Poland &
Finland (French call it “La Drole de
Guerre”.)
Phoney War?
***
March 1940: Br/Fr decide to tighten blockade of
Germany
April 8th – Hitler invades Denmark.
Plan to land Expeditionary force in Norway to seize
port of Narvik. (Swedish ore shipped to Germany from
here) but Grm invades Apr 9.
Germany installs puppet government under Vidkum
Quisling.
Effect: Humiliating defeat for Britain. Chamberlain
forced to resign. Churchill – outspoken critic of
appeasement takes over.
Allies wait anxiously for what Hitler will do next.
Mussolini?
Where are you?
Mussolini warned
Hitler in May 1939 that
he could not
undertake a war until
1943.
Weaker
Vulnerable to attack
from France/Britain
and their navies.
Fawlty Towers – “Don’t Mention the War”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfl6Lu3xQW0